Bunnie Xo Says She Felt an Emotional Connection With Her Stepdaughter When They First Met

By [Your Name] – Entertainment News | February 18, 2026

Podcast host and author Bunnie Xo offered a poignant glimpse into her family life, revealing that the moment she met her husband Jelly Roll’s teenage daughter, she saw a mirror of her own younger self — a connection that profoundly shaped her approach to motherhood.

Bunnie, known off-camera as Alisa DeFord, spoke candidly during an appearance on Today With Jenna and Sheinelle, describing how she immediately felt drawn to her stepdaughter, Bailee Ann. The 17-year-old’s resilience and tenacity resonated deeply with Bunnie, who sees parallels between Bailee’s experiences and her own past struggles.

“When I met Bailee,” Bunnie said, “I was looking at a younger version of me.” The comment reflects more than casual admiration — it underlines how Bailee’s presence helped Bunnie confront her own fears about parenthood and personal growth.

A Relationship That Helped Shape Her

Bunnie explained that discussing her relationship with Bailee is one topic that still brings her to the brink of tears. She credited the teenager not just as a stepchild but as a catalyst for her emotional maturation and readiness to consider building a family of her own.

“Nothing on this book tour gets me to tear up or choke up besides talking about her,” Bunnie shared. “She really was such a catalyst in my husband and I having to grow up and become adults.”

The podcast host, 46, also spoke about shedding her fear of inflicting trauma on her own future children — a fear rooted in her own experiences growing up. Seeing Bailee thrive helped reshape her outlook.

Memoir Reflects Personal and Family Growth

Bunnie’s reflections come as part of her promotion for her new memoir, Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic. In the book, she chronicles her life journey, including her marriage to Jelly Roll, their family dynamic, and her emotional evolution.

She and Jelly Roll, a Grammy-nominated country star, have been open about their unconventional path, which includes confronting infidelity, healing emotional wounds, and embracing personal transformation. The couple’s transparency about their struggles has been a recurring theme in interviews surrounding the memoir’s release.

Part of that journey also involves plans to expand their family. Bunnie previously revealed that she and Jelly Roll are exploring parenthood through surrogacy and in-vitro fertilization, with hopes of welcoming twins in the near future.

A Stepmother’s Love

In today’s media landscape, where celebrity families are often scrutinized and sensationalized, Bunnie Xo’s candid reflections stand out for their emotional honesty. Her connection with Bailee Ann not only underscores the complexity of blended family dynamics but also offers a more human portrait of resilience, empathy, and growth.

As fans continue to respond to her story, Bunnie’s message remains clear: family is defined not just by biology, but by the depth of connection and the willingness to grow together.